“My dentist says I need a crown. I was like, “I know, right?!””
A crown may be recommended to you have a large filling, fractured tooth, or have had a root canal. You may be wondering, however, what a dental crown is. A crown is a full coverage restoration, meaning it covers and protects the entire tooth. Crowns are placed in order to increase the longevity of teeth, improve biting function, or for esthetic purposes. Most crowns today are made with a white ceramic material, such as zirconia or lithium discilicate, to match the neighboring teeth. Crowns can also be made with metal, such as gold, and can even be bedazzled with gems or a “tooth tattoo.”
Having a crown placed takes two appointments, two weeks apart. At the first appointment, the tooth is fully anesthetized and 1.5-2mm of tooth structure is removed in all directions. This is done so there is enough room for the crown material to match the patient’s existing bite and tooth appearance. A 3D scan is taken, which is sent digitally to one of our dental laboratories. A temporary crown is then placed on the tooth until the patient’s next appointment.
At the second appointment, the permanent crown is placed on the tooth. The temporary crown is removed and the tooth structure cleaned of any residual temporary material. The crown is tried in and evaluated to make sure it is a perfect fit before permanently cementing. All post-op instructions will be given for how to care for the new crown before the new royalty leaves the office!
